OL KALOU, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has completed its final logistical preparations for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with election materials dispatched to polling officials ahead of Thursday’s vote.
Residents of Ol Kalou Constituency in Nyandarua County are set to elect a new Member of the National Assembly on July 16, 2026, following weeks of campaigns by candidates seeking the parliamentary seat.
On Wednesday, the electoral commission supervised the distribution of election materials to officials who will oversee voting at polling stations across the constituency.
The exercise, led by the Returning Officer, was conducted in the presence of candidates, chief agents, security agencies and members of the media as part of efforts to enhance transparency ahead of polling day.
A key highlight of the exercise was the opening of sealed pallets containing ballot papers, allowing stakeholders to inspect the security seals and verify that ballot paper serial numbers matched their designated polling stations.
According to the IEBC, the verification process is designed to strengthen accountability and boost public confidence in the electoral process.
“The Returning Officer, in the presence of candidates, chief agents, security agencies and members of the media, is overseeing the opening of the sealed pallets containing ballot papers,” the commission said.
The commission added that the exercise enables stakeholders to confirm that security seals remain intact and that ballot papers have been correctly allocated to their respective polling stations.
IEBC said the verification process reflects its commitment to delivering a transparent, credible and accountable election.
The final preparations follow assurances by the IEBC and the National Police Service that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful by-election.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced that more than 1,000 police officers, including officers from specialised units, have been deployed across Ol Kalou Constituency to maintain security before, during and after the election.
The deployment includes personnel from the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who will support intelligence gathering, investigations and the handling of any election-related offences.
With election materials now distributed and verification complete, polling officials are expected to report to their assigned stations ahead of voting, as residents prepare to elect their next parliamentary representative.